The centrality of care to restoring trust

By its nature, journalism that is intentional in its pursuit of impact and engages meaningfully with sources and audiences does not – cannot – abandon due diligence. However, this journalism may require reporters to practice genuine, active concern for others.  

The same is echoed in research into growing scepticism around impartiality, where the authors suggest exploring a practice more grounded in trust-building and engagement.⁴⁹ And Dr Robinson also makes this point in her book by proposing an ethic of care as the centre of the gravity: “Through caregiving and care receiving, journalists could set aside the mantle of objectivity and mandated critical distance, that I believed inhibited true connection to communities, in favour of offering of a moral voice that is highly aware and appreciative of identities as well as the explicit expression of desire to help communities solve problems and have productive discourse”  

What does care-based reporting look like? Robinson studied various sub-movements of journalism in the U.S. that depart from tradition, such as community-based or citizen journalism. She identified a set of values and skills that journalists need in order to respond adequately to the “affective kinds of trust” people demand. 

In my own exploration of digital newsrooms that show a strong commitment to seeing individuals, communities and societies thrive, Mensagem’s Carvalho in Portugal perfectly summed up what care-based reporting could mean:  

You see yourself not only as a journalist, but as a neighbour.

 And Izabela Moi, co-founder and executive director of Agencia Mural in Brazil, explained how the news outlets in her network embody the mission of local journalism about and for people living in underserved neighbourhoods of Sao Paulo:  

100% of our organisation is made up of young people that live in those.

Through Clube Mural, they also train and build a network of local correspondents that can pitch to the news outlet and, in doing so, bring their own stories.⁵⁰  

This is how journalists put aside the top-down mindset that still pervades newsrooms and more effectively level the playing field: not extracting information but collaborating through their craft in the overall welfare of the people they serve.  

Although subject-expertise remains key, it’s not what will ultimately earn news organisations enduring trust; it’s understanding that interpersonal relationships are at the heart of it, as Kulkarni said. It is the fact that reporters and editors can be held accountable because there are clear pathways to reach them.  

A study by the Pew Research Center found only 7% of U.S. citizens feel empowered by news.⁵¹ In a journalistic landscape that leaves people with more negative than positive emotions, I believe journalists who step up to act as facilitators and guides, who spark dialogues and who help people make fruitful connections will provide a way forward for our field.  

⁴⁹ Downie, L. & Heyward, A. (2023). Beyond objectivity. Retrieved from https://cronkitenewslab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Beyond-Objectivity-Report-2.pdf

⁵⁰ Agencia Mural. (2025). Programa correspondentes locais. Retrieved from https://agenciamural.org.br/institucional/clube-mural/correspondentes-locais/

⁵¹ Eddy, K. et al. (2025). What is News? How Americans decide what ‘news’ means to them — and how it fits into their lives in the digital era. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2025/05/13/what-is-news/